The novel coronavirus has altered our lives in many ways over the last couple months or so. For some singles and families alike, home was simply a place to drop your stuff and sleep, with most meals eaten out. With many whole families now staying at home, and some family members working the front lines home has taken on new meaning… a place of sanctuary with a focus on comfort, efficiency, health, hygiene. Expect a renewed interest in public space to live, eat and play together… but also a private ‘safe’ space to isolate if needed.
Even after restrictions are lifted, the ‘new normal’ may look a little different. Here are some ways that may manifest itself.
Dedicated home office space
When people brought work home, many times they would simply sit on the couch or on the bed or at the table with their laptop. It was never long because they headed to the office again the next morning. Now the home office has become their primary office, and even the background of the room is something to think about with Zoom meetings the new normal. If children are involved, it also involves figuring out space for them and their work.
Mudroom/clean room
The mudroom has been making a comeback, whether as a separate room or a defined corner for the family to stash their stuff when they come home. Especially with frontline workers, this can also translate to a ‘clean room’ where you take off your contaminated clothes and throw them in the washer while you take a shower. It reminds me of my house when I was young. I grew up on a farm and I remember an important piece of building a new house was having the laundry and a bathroom with a shower connecting to the master bedroom off the back door so my dad could come in, ditch his dirty clothes and get cleaned up before coming into the rest of the house.
Antimicrobial materials
With an emphasis on constantly disinfecting hard surfaces that we touch regularly, materials such as copper and brass and bronze could be very appealing. They are naturally antimicrobial, with intrinsic properties that destroy microorganisms. Door and cabinet handles and knobs made of these materials help destroy germs and bacteria even if we’re not constantly dousing them with disinfecting spray.
Cork flooring
Another naturally antimicrobial material that is also water resistant so therefore helps prevent mold and mildew is cork flooring. It also reduces sound levels and is comfortable on bare feet. Build.com predicts it is poised to make a comeback.
Bidets and easy to clean bathrooms
With toilet paper shortages, more and more Americans have been investing in bidet attachments during coronavirus shutdowns. In the future, more Americans may consciously think about installing a bidet in their bathroom, as well as utilizing hard surfaces and designs that are easy to clean and sanitize.
No-touch fixtures
We have been washing our hands more than ever during the coronavirus pandemic. Home experts at Build.com predict that touch-free bathroom fixtures could become more popular as we focus on creating a more hygienic home.
Air purification/filtration systems
Air filtration systems are often an afterthought, but as people spend more time at home, they may focus more seriously on multi-layer air purification systems that protect against dust, germs, viruses, and bacteria.
It is too early to determine how the coronavirus pandemic will shape how we live in the future, but after spending so much time confined to our homes it is bound to have an effect on how we think about the spaces where we live.
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – shensrud@homesmsp.com
